Tonality or frequency response is probably the first aspect that come to our mind when we evaluate audio gears such as earphones, headphones, and speakers. To accurately measure frequency response we need some skills, knowledge, and proper measurement tools. In most cases not a practical approach to many. My objective with this 'by ears' FR evaluation is basically to develop a practical approach to 'estimate' the perceived frequency response of audio transducers (IEMs, headphones, speakers) by our hearing. Something that can be done by most audio enthusiasts.
For easy referencing, I coined a term for it: EFRE (Earfonia Frequency Response Evaluation)
EFRE is basically a method to estimate the perceived frequency response or a certain audio transducer by ears. So EFRE is a subjective evaluation as people might have a different hearing response.
EFRE is a set of audio tracks, to compare by hearing the loudness of different tones to a 1kHz tone. So anyone can try it using their own audio system, to roughly estimate the perceived frequency response of their IEMs, headphones, and speakers, according to their hearing response.
This is the download link for the EFRE tracks:
1. Track 1 is to set volume level of the audio system. Track 1 is composed of the following:
2 secs of 0 dB 1 kHz (0.25 dBFS is set as reference for 0 dB loudness)
2 secs of +12 dB 1 kHz
2 secs of 0 dB 1 kHz
2 secs of -12 dB 1 kHz
The set above repeated 3 times. Set the volume until we hear the +12 dB part sounds a little too loud. On my SPL meter, the 0 dB is usually set at around 85 dB(A).
2. Tracks 2 to 9 are reference tracks of 1 kHz tone, for our ears to hear the difference of loudness between the 0 dB and +3 dB, -3dB, and so on until +/- 12 dB.
I usually keep going back to tracks 2-9 during the evaluation, to estimate the loudness differences.
3. Tracks 10 to 45 are the EFRE tracks, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, all set at the same 0 dB loudness with the 1 kHz. Each track will have 2 secs of 1 kHz tone and 2 secs of other tone, played in 3 repetition.
4. Excel spreadsheet to build the graph is included in the EFRE folder. Use the spreadsheet to take note of the FR evaluation.
Having tried the EFRE for a few headphones, I observe the following:
1. It is difficult to compare loudness of different tones. Some practice definitely required.
2. People might have different hearing response, therefore various results from the same gear are expected.
This method is under development, so to be improved by inputs and suggestions from users. Comments are welcome!
For easy referencing, I coined a term for it: EFRE (Earfonia Frequency Response Evaluation)
EFRE is basically a method to estimate the perceived frequency response or a certain audio transducer by ears. So EFRE is a subjective evaluation as people might have a different hearing response.
EFRE is a set of audio tracks, to compare by hearing the loudness of different tones to a 1kHz tone. So anyone can try it using their own audio system, to roughly estimate the perceived frequency response of their IEMs, headphones, and speakers, according to their hearing response.
This is the download link for the EFRE tracks:
EFRE Tracks
[COLOR=000000]Instructions:[/COLOR]
1. Track 1 is to set volume level of the audio system. Track 1 is composed of the following:
2 secs of 0 dB 1 kHz (0.25 dBFS is set as reference for 0 dB loudness)
2 secs of +12 dB 1 kHz
2 secs of 0 dB 1 kHz
2 secs of -12 dB 1 kHz
The set above repeated 3 times. Set the volume until we hear the +12 dB part sounds a little too loud. On my SPL meter, the 0 dB is usually set at around 85 dB(A).
2. Tracks 2 to 9 are reference tracks of 1 kHz tone, for our ears to hear the difference of loudness between the 0 dB and +3 dB, -3dB, and so on until +/- 12 dB.
I usually keep going back to tracks 2-9 during the evaluation, to estimate the loudness differences.
3. Tracks 10 to 45 are the EFRE tracks, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, all set at the same 0 dB loudness with the 1 kHz. Each track will have 2 secs of 1 kHz tone and 2 secs of other tone, played in 3 repetition.
4. Excel spreadsheet to build the graph is included in the EFRE folder. Use the spreadsheet to take note of the FR evaluation.
Having tried the EFRE for a few headphones, I observe the following:
1. It is difficult to compare loudness of different tones. Some practice definitely required.
2. People might have different hearing response, therefore various results from the same gear are expected.
This method is under development, so to be improved by inputs and suggestions from users. Comments are welcome!